The evening opened with support Artist Nat Augustin, who warmed everyone up with a wide range of George Benson classics, including ‘Turn Your Love Around’, ‘Shiver’, Never Give Up On A Good Thing’ and ‘Give Me The Night’. It was a good start, which got the audience in the mood for dancing. A class opening act and a lively opener to the night ahead… As the lights dimmed down, Soul Legend Alexander O’Neal came on stage (or is it Johnnie Ringo – his self-named nickname for that week, apparently he chooses a different one every week). The opening track was ‘Innocent’, with everyone cheering him as he came on stage. Followed by ‘What Can I Say To Make You Love Me’. I was thinking, ‘this doesn’t sound like Alexander’ and as I did, he got the soundman to turn down the bass from his voice and suddenly - all was good – he now sounded more like how I remembered. Then onto ‘Sunshine’, ‘Hearsay ‘89’, ‘The Lovers’ and ‘All True Man’. Sometimes, he sounded a little out of breath, especially in between songs and he constantly kept walking to the side of the stage, which became a little bit annoying as the night went on. Next section was called ‘Making S**t up’, where he sang about whatever came to him at the time. It sounded good and I really enjoyed this section, his voice sounding warmer and more contemporary. It’s a shame he didn’t do more of this during the show, as it would have been good to get the chance to hear a couple of new tracks. Alexander then asked a lady from the front row to join him on stage, as he poured out two glasses of champagne, which they both sipped, whilst he sang ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, as they sat on an aptly placed bench beneath a replica Victorian street lamp. Then onto ‘This Thing Called Love’, after which he asked people to join him on stage as he finished with a medley of songs (sweating profusely). The white towels, which were provided, got more than their fair share usage on the night! I couldn’t resist getting up, along with around 40 others and danced on stage until the show ended. The band was good and joined in with on-stage dancing and role- playing. They had a funky sound, with an elegant backing vocalist. The evening wasn’t quite what I expected. However it was a good night, I’m glad to have seen him and to have heard one my all time favourite tracks ‘If You Were Here Tonight’, live. Overall to see a Soul Legend like Alexander O’Neal was a great opportunity, although I got the feeling his career had taken a toll on him and I’m still suffering from the shock of how he is now, compared to what he was – quite different. I feel the addition of new material would bring him more up to date and improve his performance – a bit stuck in the past.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Before the gig, I spoke to people, asking if they had seen Ola before. Many had seen him on numerous occasions and others had not, but were aware of a strange excitement in the air. Ola’s opening track - ‘Alive Tonight’ was from his recent album ‘In Emergency, Brake Silence’. Unfortunately, it didn’t sound very alive, as the venue’s soundman, had got it wrong, causing a few problems for the band. However, Ola, wasted no time in guiding the soundman to what was required, involving the audience, asking what was wrong, creating a bit of banter with us and our demands for ‘more voice and less bass & drums’ were taken on board and the second track ‘Stay Here Forever’ sounded much better. The last song before the short break was a real masterpiece of a song called ‘Heart Of Lead’. Ola encouraging the audience to give some of their quotes for ending relationships after suggesting some himself like ‘I need to find myself’, ‘We can still remain friends’ and so on. This was sung with an ad-lib, showpiece ending and a different interpretation to the album - a refreshing twist. In between songs, Ola displayed his rather quirky sense of humour - indulging the audience at all times and making jokes and jibes with his band. The band was good and consisted of Nial Thompkins on guitar, Alex Bennet on keyboards, Neil Raymond on bass & Julian McLaren on drums. During the short interval, there was a real feel good atmosphere and everyone was eagerly awaiting the 2nd half to begin. I spoke to some of the folk there and they were more than impressed with Ola’s charisma & moves. The opener for the second half was ‘If You Knew What I knew’ from his ‘Precious Libations For Silent Gods’ CD. Then Ola turned up the funk and onto ‘Soul Town’. The next track being my particular favourite - ‘Forever Girl’. Ola leaving everyone mesmerised with this beautiful song – WOW! The final song ‘Closer’ extended into a medley of grooves getting people dancing with Ola encouraging everyone to get up on stage/asking us to rise from our seats and dance. We obliged. It was an infectious atmosphere. The gig ended to rapturous applause, a standing ovation & the audience demanding an encore. The encore wasn’t to be this time (he does usually do one & quite a few people were disappointed he didn’t), but Ola went to the side of the stage signing his CD’s and talking to his old and newfound friends. I managed to chat with him and he was a very gracious man whose presence off stage is quieter, confident and most appealing. All in all a scrumptious night, good venue and an outstanding entertainer. Not the best gig of Ola’s I’ve seen (maybe they were thinking of the long journey back to London that evening). However, I’m sure anyone who had not seen him before would have been well impressed - a pleasurable night out.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Neneh Cherry, Terri Lyne Carrington, Fontella Bass, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carleen Anderson, Lalah Hathaway and Angelique Kidjo were the artists at the wonderful tribute to the legendary Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday. The tribute was called ‘Bille & Me’ and I have really fond memories of each performance. The performer that stood out the most was the talented and incredible artist Dee Dee Bridgewater, she sung ‘Strange Fruit’, which is a Billie classic. Dee Dee filled the venue with the emotion and catastrophe that the song represents, and made had a stage presence that left everyone in awe. Amy Winehouse did a duet with daughter of Soul legend Donny Hathaway, but I was at the ticket desk, so I was pretty annoyed I wasn’t in my seat to experience it in full, however they did have TV’s so you could watch who was performing if you weren’t already in the venue. Amy has this sexual and sassiness to her performance, along with her London accent, swearing and attitude, but the thing she is here to do is to sing, and she does it impressively. With Lalah Hathaway standing close by her, I thought this was a very rare moment, to see such diverse vocalists singing songs of such a special artist. Lalahs vocals were smooth as silk and they could softly touch every part of your Soul. Carleen Anderson also did a fine cover of some tracks, which I fail to remember, but I just remember being completely captivated by her beauty and vocals. The most fun part of the evening was watching Angelique dance, she lets the rhythm take over every part of her and she did not give a damn about what people were thinking. Neneh Cherry and Terri Lyne Carrington would have the microphones, were they would tell the story of Billie’s life through each interval of a song. If this tribute comes again for Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan, I will definitely buy a ticket. London Barbican is a pleasant venue, smart, comfortable and spacious.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Over the past few months I have not been a great fan of Jazz Café’, the atmosphere can get claustrophobic and very busy. The only artists that seem to perform there are not seen at any other venue around London and the artists that perform here are mostly from the USA, which shows us the narrow mindedness of the Jazz Cafe'. Tonight I am celebrating my 18th birthday with a close friend and I was unsure if I had chosen the right artist to see. I went because I didn’t want something that was not too mellow; I wanted it to be lively and vibrant and from listening to samples of ‘Subject’ Andwele definitely brought that to the table. All that Dwele did during the event was tease the female members of the audience at the front of the stage, and sung out of tune. I was obviously disappointed, and I suggest that you do not see Dwele live. I was more disappointed in myself to actually go through with this, but I was thinking that who wants to celebrate there 18th with a moody Soul singer? But the point is, is Dwele is no Soul singer, if he and Omar were on the same stage, Omar would make him look talent less. The band was dressed up, in a cool thug style, with tilted hats and Funky cloths to match. It was just a show, but gone badly. I was more interested in the DJ next to me looking through his collection rather than watching this so called superstar. Also another thing to top of the night was the pricy drinks, I mean, the jazz café’ expect us to pay to stand up all night, and then if we feel like a drink they expect us to spend over £10 quid on two drinks. However, we were in London so I guess everywhere is expensive, but I was not a happy person due to the crap performance from non-soul singer Dwele. Do not go and see him live! Or even buy his music.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Jill Scott played tonight at Bristol Academy, she arrived in true diva fashion - two hours late. After hearing two hours of played R&B out of great sound systems, we were ready for some live action. Entered firstly onto the stage were the full band members, all different races but only from one place, home grown talent from Philly. There was an excitement and buzz in the atmosphere that filled the classy venue up, all of us where eagerly awaiting on Jill's return. After four years you'd expect to see a change in her but she elegantly walked onto the stage just as she left. She came again to bless everywhere and everyone around her. The crowd went wild, and Jill Scott is still Jill Scott. Her usual afro hair tied up at the back of her head, she looked divine from her eye brows to her toe nails. She has on a black fitted suite over a smart top with wrapped pearls around her neck, white trainers and tight jeans. The most beautiful thing about Jill is her complexion and smile, she is very spiritually in touch and in control, its almost impossible to not be affected by her. Jill Scott has a gift to be able to turn negative energy into positive energy. Her presence was the same but her approach to things where much more stronger and what she felt inside she shared and showed... she was loved up by her lucky man Lyzel, oh and her new grey cat Stacey. Her ability to be able to communicate in an inspiring, positive and humorous yet mature way just grabs your attention instantly and she always has a good story up her sleeve. Like she added but very sweetly 'If you are talking at the back... please shut up'. Her band were brilliant, great backing vocals from Carol Riddick and V.Wilson. The songs that Jill Scott performed from a latest debut 'Beautifully Human' were, 'Golden', 'Whatever', 'Bedda At Home', 'My Petition', 'The Fact Is (I Need You), 'Spring Summer Feeling', 'Can't Explain'... she then left the stage but returned once again to perform an emotional and powerful track called 'Rasool', it was my favourite performance of hers from the night. To top it off, during the event, she added 'A Long Walk' and 'He Loves Me' taking us down memory lane. Jill Scott is undoubtedly a talented performer, but the reason why we and I keep coming back to see her again, and again is she is real. Her way of digging deep into peoples hearts, minds and soul is never ending, and seeing her happy, content, married and singing about new experiences, made it a perfect night and a refreshing experience.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]